Ergonomic systems and methods for operating computers

ABSTRACT

The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a display screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, various mechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to position and orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedback mechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formed in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arranged such that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all four lights. However, as the viewer&#39;s orientation varies, one or more of the lights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientation is improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replaced with a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. The diffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflected light varies as the viewer&#39;s orientation varies. Alternatively, a hologram could arranged such that the image presented to the viewer changes, even presenting informative text to the viewer. Another aspect of the present invention teaches a feedback mechanism that further provides visual feedback regarding position information. In one embodiment, a strip of diffraction grating or other suitable material is applied upon the display screen. The strip is formed such that depending upon the viewers position, the viewer perceives a certain image (e.g., “20 Inches,” the color green).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of ergonomicwork environments. More specifically, the present invention teachesmethods and systems for aiding a computer user in finding an ergonomicposition within a work environment.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Whether working or relaxing, a growing proportion of the world'spopulation spends prolonged periods in fixed, sedentary positions, withtheir vision and attention focused on a small portion of theirenvironment. For example, office workers are required to work atcomputer terminals performing tasks such as word processing, data entry,and generating computer graphics. Students are regularly using computersfor study and in the classroom. Computers and televisions are commonlyviewed for entertainment and information purposes. These types ofactivities have unintended side effects such as eye fatigue, eye strainsdifficulty focusing, headaches, backaches, and general musculardiscomfort.

[0003] These and other symptoms are often the result of an improperarrangement of the sufferer's environment and his position andorientation within that environment. Often, steps the sufferer may taketo alleviate one symptom may in turn cause other, perhaps more subtle,problems. For example, a video display terminal (VDT) user may positionhimself in a certain manner to avoid back discomfort, yet in so doingend up an improper distance from the VDT, as well as poorly oriented,thereby causing eye fatigue.

[0004] James E. Sheedy, in his U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,539, described whathe termed a “Visual Tool for Assessing the Ergonomic Position of a VideoDisplay Terminal.” Sheedy's Visual Tool consists of a substantiallyplanar measurement tool having a plurality of measurement indiciaarranged to indicate the distance above and below a center point of themeasurement tool. An alignment indicator, essentially a fabric tapemeasure, is attached to the center point and can be grasped by a userand extended outward. A VDT user may position the measurement tool overthe face of the VDT and then determine a desired vertical orientationand distance from the face of the VDT by use of the Visual Tool. HenceSheedy's Visual Tool provides the VDT user one manual device fordetermining his or her position and orientation in front of the VDT.Note, however, that the VDT use cannot simultaneously view the VDT whileusing Sheedy's Visual Tool.

[0005] What are needed are tools for providing a user dynamic visualfeedback enabling the use to obtain a proper, ergonomic orientation withthe computer work environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining anergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a displayscreen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, variousmechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to positionand orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedbackmechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formedin a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arrangedsuch that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all fourlights. However, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of thelights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientationis improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replacedwith a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. Thediffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflectedlight varies as the viewer's orientation varies. Alternatively, ahologram could arranged such that the image presented to the viewerchanges, even presenting informative text to the viewer.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention teaches a feedbackmechanism that further provides visual feedback regarding positioninformation. In one embodiment, a strip of diffraction grating or othersuitable material is applied upon the display screen. The strip isformed such that depending upon the viewers position, the viewerperceives a certain image (e.g., “20 Inches,” the color green). Inpreferred embodiments, the left and right eyes perceive different imagessuch that when the viewer's orientation is improper, the image perceivedby one eye is different from the other.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed towardsergonomic software capable of executing on a computer system having asensor capable of measuring the distance between a viewer and a displayscreen of the computer system. The ergonomic software measures anddisplays the viewers setback from the display screen, as well as makingsuggestions regarding preferred font size and viewer position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention, together with further objectives and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichare described below.

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system having a visual feedbackdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a cluster of light sources forming the visualfeedback device of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3a illustrates a computer user positioned at an orientationabove the ideal vertical ergonomic position.

[0013]FIG. 3b illustrates an image of the visual feedback device of FIG.2 as perceived by a computer user oriented as shown in FIG. 3a.

[0014]FIG. 4a illustrates a computer user positioned at an orientationbelow the ideal vertical ergonomic position.

[0015]FIG. 4b illustrates an image of the visual feedback device of FIG.2 as perceived by a computer user oriented as shown in FIG. 4a.

[0016]FIG. 5a illustrates a computer user positioned at an orientationoff of the ideal horizontal ergonomic position.

[0017]FIG. 5b illustrates an image of the visual feedback device of FIG.2 as perceived by a computer user oriented as shown in FIG. 5a.

[0018]FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system having a visual feedbackdevice in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, the visual feedback device capable of rendering differentimages dependent upon the distance of the computer user from thecomputer system.

[0019]FIGS. 6a-6 c illustrate three different images the computer userwill perceive at three different distances from the visual feedbackdevice of FIG. 6.

[0020]FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system having a visual feedbackdevice in accordance with still another embodiment of the presentinvention, the visual feedback device capable of rendering differentimages dependent upon both the computer user orientation and thedistance of the computer user from the computer system.

[0021]FIG. 8 illustrates several different images the computer user willperceive at different distances from and orientation to the visualfeedback device of FIG. 7.

[0022] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate top and front views of a visual feedbackdevice in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0023]FIG. 11 illustrates a computer system having a distance positionsensor in accordance with a separate embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0024]FIG. 12 illustrates an ergonomic software display window generatedby the computer system of FIG. 11 when executing the ergonomic softwareof the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] The methods and systems of the present invention enable a user tomaintain an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as adisplay screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. Failure to achieve aproper position and orientation of a user's viewpoint with respect to aVDT, tool position, calibrated indicator, etc., often causes physicaldiscomfort such as eye fatigue, back strain, etc. The present inventionis directed towards simple mechanisms which provide the user meaningfulfeedback related to both his position and orientation. In the followingdescription of various aspects of the present invention, the VDT exampleis often used for ease of reference. However, those of skill in the artwill recognize that the present invention is not limited by thisparticular application, but is suitable for other applications such astelevision displays, tool position indicators, status readouts or anyenvironment wherein a viewer wishes to maintain a particular position.

[0026] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system 100including a display screen 102 and a cluster 104 (exploded in FIG. 2) offour light sources 106-112. The light sources 106-112 are arranged suchthat a properly oriented viewer will perceive all four light sources asilluminated. As described in more detail below with reference to FIGS.3a-5 b, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of the lightsources disappears from view, thereby indicating to the viewer that herorientation is improper.

[0027] In FIG. 1, orientation refers to a viewers position within an x-y(or horizontal-vertical) axis 120 parallel to the plane of the displaypanel. It has been found that a suitable orientation for a viewer of adisplay screen 102 is at about its top, center point. Hence in FIG. 1the cluster 104 is located at the top, center point of the displayscreen 102, and is arranged such that all four lights are perceived whenthe viewer is substantially directly in front of the cluster 104.However, the cluster 104 may be located at a different position (on oroff the display screen 102) and/or arranged to appear fully illuminatedfrom different viewer orientations. For example, the cluster 104 may bepositioned at the lower left corner of the display screen 102 yet bearranged such that all four lights are perceived when the viewer issubstantially oriented at a center point 122 of the display screen.

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates the image of the cluster 104 perceived by aviewer that is properly oriented along the x-y axis 120. That is, theproperly oriented viewer is capable of perceiving illumination from eachof the light sources 106-112. (For the sake of present discussion, theproperly oriented viewer is located near or substantially upon theorigin of the x-y axis.) FIG. 3a illustrates a viewer 130 whosehorizontal orientation is proper but whose vertical orientation is abovethe origin of the x-y axis 120. FIG. 3b illustrates an image 132 of thecluster 104 that would be perceived by the viewer 130 oriented as inFIG. 3a. Specifically, the viewer 130 perceives the cluster 104 as ifthe uppermost light source 106 were not illuminated. FIG. 4a illustratesthe viewer 130 whose horizontal orientation is proper but whose verticalorientation is below the origin of the x-y axis 120. FIG. 4b illustratesan image 134 of the cluster 104 that would be perceived by the viewer130 oriented as shown in FIG. 4a. Specifically, the viewer 130 perceivesthe cluster 104 as if the lowermost light source 110 is not illuminated.FIG. 5a illustrates the viewer 130 whose horizontal orientation is offof the origin of the x-y axis 120. FIG. 5b illustrates an image 136 ofthe cluster 104 that would be perceived by the viewer 130 oriented asshown in FIG. 5a. Specifically, the viewer 130 perceives the cluster 104as if the rightmost light source 108 is not illuminated.

[0029] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, light sources106-112 may take on any suitable form providing an image that varieswith respect to the viewer's orientation. For example, light sources106-112 may be light emitting sources such as LEDs or light bulbsembedded within the display screen 102, properly recessed within thedisplay screen 102 to achieve the desired result. Alternatively, lensescovering the light emitting sources may focus or polarize the light inorder to achieve the desired result. It is also contemplated that lightsources 106-112 may be light reflective devices such as a hologram, alenticular parallax panoramagram variable aspect display, otherlenticular devices, diffraction grating, columnates, etc.

[0030] Alternatively, the light sources 106-112 could be four distinctpieces of diffraction grating formed such that the intensity of thereflected light varies as the viewer's orientation varies. Hence, ratherthan providing discrete, illuminated/non-illuminated feedback to theviewer 130, the cluster 104 could provide continuous feedback with theillumination intensity decreasing as the viewer moves further out oforientation. Alternatively, a hologram could be formed such that theimage presented to the viewer changes, even presenting informative textto the viewer. (E.g., “MOVE LEFT!” or “MOVE RIGHT!”) Such hologramscould be implemented in many ways, whether through diffraction gratingor lenticular devices.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention teaches a feedbackmechanism that provides a viewer visual feedback regarding his or herdistance from the display screen. For example, a strip of diffractiongrating or other suitable material applied upon the display screen maybe formed such that depending upon the viewers position, the viewerperceives a feedback image (e.g., “20 Inches,” a green band, a redband). Three separate embodiments of this aspect will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 6-6 c, FIGS. 7-8, and FIGS. 8-9, respectively.

[0032]FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system 100 having a display screen102 with a viewer position feedback device 200 affixed thereto. Theviewer position feedback device 200 is capable of presenting threeimages 202-206 to a viewer situated in front of the display screen 102.An image 202 as in FIG. 6a showing five filled circles 208 will beperceived by the viewer who is positioned about 18 inches (e.g.,18+/−1.0 inches) away from the display screen 102. An image 204 as inFIG. 6b showing three filled circles 208 will be perceived by the viewerwho is positioned about 20 inches (e.g., 20+/−1 inches) away from thedisplay screen. An image 206 as in FIG. 6c showing one filled circle 208will be perceived by the viewer who is positioned about 22 inches (e.g.,22+/−1 inches) away from the display screen.

[0033] The filled circles 208 can be presented in different colors tofurther distinguish the distances. Outside of the optimal viewing range,the image presented by the feedback device 200 could take on anysuitable form. For example, the image could be blank, provide textualinformation (“TOO CLOSE” or “TOO FAR”), or appear as a red strip thusindicating improper viewer positioning.

[0034] With reference to FIGS. 7-8, yet another embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described. FIG. 7 illustrates a computersystem 100 having a display screen 102 with a viewer position andorientation feedback device 300 affixed thereto. Feedback device 300 asdrawn indicates possible images for display, but does not necessarilyrepresent how these images would be formed and arranged on the surfaceof feedback device 300. Instead, as will be appreciated by those skilledin the art, the arrangement of images on the feedback device will dependupon the technology (e.g., lenticular devices, diffraction grating,etc.) selected for implementation.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the feedback device 300 is capable ofpresenting a plurality of images to a viewer situated in front of thedisplay screen 102. Images 302-306 represent images perceived by theviewer when he or she is properly oriented in front of the displayscreen 102. For example, the image 302 appears as the numeral “18” whenthe viewer is properly oriented and is positioned about 18 inches fromthe display screen. Images 310-312 represent images perceived by aviewer improperly oriented in front of the display screen 102. Forexample, the image 312 appears as a combination or blurring of thenumerals “18” and “19,” or the image 312 may be implemented to “flicker”back and forth between the numerals depending upon slight variations ofthe viewer's position. In any event, the perceived image indicates tothe viewer a rough estimate of her distance from the display screen 102but, importantly, also indicates that the viewer is improperly oriented.

[0036] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate another embodiment of a viewer position andorientation feedback device 320 capable of providing feedback similar tothat described above with reference to FIGS. 7-8. FIG. 10 provides afront-view of feedback device 320 (i.e., the view apparent to a properlysituated viewer), with the active areas 322 and 324 directed towards theviewer. A center portion 326 may display a constant logo, while theactive areas 322 and 324 provide the orientation and/or positionfeedback important to the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 9 provides a top-view of feedback device 320. As seentherein, the active areas 322 and 324 are formed having inclinedsurfaces 323 and 325. By selecting the angle of incline for surfaces 323and 325 appropriately, a “sweet spot” is formed where the viewer islocated in the proper orientation. The available field of view providedby active areas 322 and 324 (and thus the viewer feedback area) willdepend upon the construction of and material chosen for making theactive areas 322 and 324. Thus, it is preferable that the angle ofincline for surfaces 323 and 325 be selected to take advantage of theavailable field of view. That is, the angle of incline should beselected to provide the viewer feedback in those areas were he or shewould most likely be situated. However, it will be appreciated that thefield of view provided by active areas 322 and 324 may be such that noincline (i.e., flat surfaces) is even necessary. In any event, thoseskilled in the art will understand the details necessary for selectingthe suitable angle of incline and achieving the desired field of view.

[0038] Another particular embodiment that can be described withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10 is implemented such that the center portion326 is a center active area 326. In one preferred implementation of thisembodiment, the viewer feedback is accomplished through a multi-phase(animated, 3D, 4D, etc.) lenticular device. In this embodiment, thelenticular device will display a finite number of images over a suitableviewing range. For example, a total of 28 image phases over a totalviewing angle of 58 degrees (i.e., plus and minus 29 degrees from thecenter viewing axis) would be suitable. When used with a computermonitor, for example, the feedback device 320 should be viewed in thedirection of its center active area 326 at a distance of about 22 inchesfrom within a circle having a radius of about 4 inches.

[0039] In this embodiment, the center active area 326 is intended toguide the user to maintain his or her eye position near a lineorthogonal to the plan of the feedback device 320 and originating at thecenter of the center active area 326. For example, an optimal eyeposition may be plus or minus 10.25 degrees from this orthogonal centerline. When the user's eyes are within this optimal angle, a positivemessage such as “GOOD CENTER POSITION” is visible to the user within thecenter active area 326. As the user's eye position moves to either sideof the optimal angle, a meaningful message such as “MOVE RIGHT” wouldbecome visible to the user.

[0040] The left and right active areas 322 and 324 are intended to workin conjunction with one another to guide the user in maintaining aproper distance from the feedback device 320. Viewing the right-mostactive area 324 from the optimal distance (e.g., about 22 inches) alongthe orthogonal center line, the right-most active area 324 displays apositive message such as “GOOD DISTANCE” within a predefined viewingrange, e.g., a viewing angle of about 15 degrees plus or minus 10degrees to the left of a line orthogonal to near center of the rightactive area 324. Outside of this range, a meaningful message such as“CHECK CENTER POSITION AND MOVE CLOSER” is displayed. The leftmostactive area 322 would function in an analogous manner.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention described above are“stand alone” feedback devices that work independent of the computersystem to provide real-time feedback to a user of the computer system.This feedback enables the user to achieve an ergonomic environment withrespect to his or her position and orientation to the computer system.Additional aspects of the present invention further contemplateintegrating the position and orientation information into ergonomicsoftware executing upon the computer system. The ergonomic software canutilize the position and orientation information to optimize thecomputer system setup (e.g., display font size, brightness, etc.), aswell as provide additional feedback through the computer system to theuser.

[0042] Turning to FIGS. 11-12, one embodiment of the above-describedergonomic software in accordance with the present invention will now bedescribed. FIG. 11 illustrates a computer system 100 having a displayscreen 102, a cluster 104 of four light sources 106-112 embedded withinthe display screen 102, and a viewer position sensor 350 disposed atabout the center of the cluster 104. The viewer position sensor 350 isoperable to measure the distance of an object properly oriented in frontof the position sensor 350. As will be appreciated, a number of suchdistance measurement devices exist, such as sonic and infraredmeasurement systems. Shown on the display screen 102 is an ergonomicsoftware icon 360 having a minimize/maximize button 362 and a closebutton 364, and also a display of the viewer's position from the displayscreen 102.

[0043] Selecting the minimize/maximize button 362 opens up an ergonomicsoftware window such as the window 370 shown in FIG. 12. The ergonomicsoftware window 370 displays a viewer distance 372, a recommended viewerdistance 374, a current font setting 376, a font change button 378, ameasure distance button 380, and a settings button 382. The viewerdistance 372 displays the most recently measured distance of the viewerfrom the viewer position sensor 350. For example, in certain embodimentsthe measurement system is continuous and the viewer distance willconstantly vary with the viewer position. However, in other embodimentsthe viewer distance 372 will only update when the measure distancebutton 380 is selected.

[0044] The recommended distance 374 displays a recommended viewerposition that is either provided by the ideal visual ergonomic softwareor can be set by the viewer through the settings button 382. The currentfont setting 376 preferably displays the font size of text displayed inan active window present on the display 102. Selecting the measuredistance button 380 forces the position sensor 350 to measure (ifpossible) the distance from the viewer to the display screen 102. Oncemeasured, the viewer distance 372 is updated and a suitable font size isselected. Selecting the font change button 378 immediately afterselecting the measure distance 380 will change the font size of thecorresponding text to a recommended font size based upon the viewerdistance and the chosen settings.

[0045] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention havebeen described in detail herein, it should be understood that thepresent invention may be embodied in many other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, thepresent examples are to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A visual ergonomic system for use with a display screen, the visualergonomic system comprising a visual feedback device capable ofproviding a plurality of images to a viewer of the display screen, aspecific image perceived by the viewer being dependent upon a positionof the viewer with respect to the display screen, the specific imageperceived by the viewer being indicative of the position of the viewerwith respect to the display screen.
 2. A visual ergonomic system asrecited in claim 1 wherein the position of the viewer with respect tothe display screen corresponds to a distance separating the viewer fromthe display screen.
 3. A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 1wherein the position of the viewer with respect to the display screenincludes an orientation of the viewer in front of the display screen. 4.A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 3 wherein the visualfeedback device includes four light sources arranged such that a) whenthe viewer is substantially properly oriented with respect to the visualfeedback device, the viewer will perceive an image of all four lightsources illuminated, b) when the viewer is oriented at a position abovethe proper vertical orientation, the viewer will perceive that theillumination intensity of an uppermost light source has changed withrespect to the image perceived when properly oriented, c) when theviewer is oriented at a position below the proper vertical orientation,the viewer will perceive that the illumination intensity of a lowermostlight source has changed with respect to the image perceived whenproperly oriented, d) when the viewer is oriented at a positionsubstantially to the right of the proper horizontal orientation, theviewer will perceive that the illumination intensity of a rightmostlight source has changed with respect to the image perceived whenproperly oriented, and e) when the viewer is oriented at a positionsubstantially to the left of the proper horizontal orientation, theviewer will perceive that the illumination intensity of a leftmost lightsource has changed with respect to the image perceived when properlyoriented.
 5. A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 4 wherein theintensity of any given light source is substantially inversely relatedto the corresponding variance of the viewer from the proper orientation.6. A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 4 wherein each lightsource has two levels of intensity such that when the viewer is notproperly oriented the corresponding light source appears to not beilluminated.
 7. A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 4 whereinthe four light sources are light emitting devices.
 8. A visual ergonomicsystem as recited in claim 7 wherein the four light sources are embeddedwithin opaque material and arranged such that each light source has twolevels of intensity so that when the viewer is not properly oriented thecorresponding light source appears to not be illuminated.
 9. A visualergonomic system as recited in claim 7 wherein the visual feedbackdevice further includes lenses formed covering the four light sources,the lenses capable of focusing light generated by the four light sourcesto achieve the desired results.
 10. A visual ergonomic system as recitedin claim 3 wherein the visual feedback device is a light reflectingdevice.
 11. A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 10 wherein thespecific image perceived by the viewer of the display screen includestext indicating the orientation of the viewer.
 12. A visual ergonomicsystem as recited in claim 10 wherein the specific image perceived bythe viewer of the display screen adheres to a color code indicating theorientation of the viewer.
 13. A visual ergonomic system as recited inclaim 12 wherein the color code includes green, yellow, and red, greenindicating proper viewer orientation, yellow indicating questionableviewer orientation, and red indicating improper viewer orientation. 14.A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 1 wherein the feedbackdevice is formed within a housing of the display screen.
 15. A visualergonomic system as recited in claim 1 wherein the feedback device isformed as a unit separate from but attachable to the display screen. 16.A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 1 wherein the feedbackdevice is positioned substantially at a top, central point of thedisplay screen.
 17. A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 2wherein the plurality of images includes a first image of five collinearfilled circles that is perceived at a first distance separating theviewer from the display screen, a second image of three collinear filledcircles that is perceived at a second distance separating the viewerfrom the display screen, and a third image of a single filled circlethat is perceived at a third distance separating the viewer from thedisplay screen.
 18. A visual ergonomic system as recited in claim 17wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance, and thesecond distance is greater than the third distance.
 19. A visualergonomic system as recited in claim 1 wherein the display screen is acomputer display screen.
 20. A visual ergonomic system as recited inclaim 1 wherein the display screen is a television display screen.
 21. Avisual ergonomic system for use with a display screen, the visualergonomic system comprising a visual feedback device capable ofproviding a plurality of images to a viewer of the display screen, aspecific image perceived by the viewer being dependent upon both adistance separating the viewer from the display screen and anorientation of the viewer with respect to the display screen, thespecific image perceived by the viewer being indicative of the viewerdistance and the viewer orientation.
 22. A visual ergonomic system asrecited in claim 21 , wherein when the viewer is properly oriented withrespect to the display screen, the specific image perceived by theviewer includes a numeral indicative of an approximation of the distanceseparating the viewer from the display screen.
 23. A visual ergonomicsystem as recited in claim 22 , wherein when the viewer is improperlyoriented with respect to the display screen, the specific imageperceived by the viewer is a function of one or more numerals indicativeof an approximation of the distance separating the viewer from thedisplay screen, the specific image indicative of the improperorientation of the viewer.
 24. A visual ergonomic system as recited inclaim 23 wherein the visual feedback device includes a hologram.
 25. Avisual ergonomic system as recited in claim 23 wherein the visualfeedback device includes an arrangement of lenticular devices.
 26. Avisual ergonomic system as recited in claim 23 wherein the visualfeedback device includes an arrangement of diffraction gratings.
 27. Avisual ergonomic system as recited in claim 21 wherein the plurality ofimages includes a first image of five collinear filled circles that isperceived at first distance separating the viewer from the displayscreen, a second image of three collinear filled circles that isperceived at a second distance separating the viewer from the displayscreen, and a third image of a single filled circle that is perceived ata third distance separating the viewer from the display screen.
 28. Avisual ergonomic system as recited in claim 21 wherein the firstdistance is between about 17 and 19 inches, the second distance isbetween about 19 and 21 inches, and the third distance is between about21 inches and 23 inches.
 29. A computer system implementing ergonomicsoftware arranged to aid a computer user in achieving an ideal ergonomicposition with respect to the computer system, the computer systemcomprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a display screen coupled tothe CPU; a measurement device operable to sense a user distance from thecomputer user to the display screen of the computer system, themeasurement device coupled to the CPU; and memory coupled to the CPU,the memory storing computer executable instructions for sensing the userdistance, displaying the user distance on the display screen, anddisplaying a recommended user distance from the computer to the displayscreen.
 30. A computer system as recited in claim 29 , wherein thememory further stores computer executable instructions for determining atext font size deemed suitable for the user distance, and displaying anumerical indication of the text font size deemed suitable for the userdistance.
 31. A computer system as recited in claim 30 , wherein thememory further stores computer executable instructions for queryingcomputer user as to whether to conform the font size of text found in anactive text window displayed on the display screen to the text font sizedeemed suitable for the user distance, and in response to a request bythe computer user, conforming the font size of text found in the activetext window displayed on the display screen to the text font size deemedsuitable for the user distance.
 32. A computer system as recited inclaim 30 wherein the memory further includes the computer executableinstruction for conforming the font size of text found in an active textwindow displayed on the display screen to the text font size deemedsuitable for the user distance.
 33. A computer system as recited inclaim 29 wherein the computer executable instruction for sensing a userdistance from the computer user to a display screen of a computer systemresults in a continuous sensing of the user distance.
 34. A computersystem as recited in claim 29 wherein the computer executableinstruction for sensing a user distance from the computer user to adisplay screen of a computer system is only performed in response to arequest from the computer user.
 35. A method for ergonomically enhancingan environment for a viewer of a display screen, the method comprisingthe steps of: rendering a first image that can be perceived by theviewer of the display screen when the viewer is situated in anergonomically correct orientation in front of the display screen;rendering a second image that can be perceived by the viewer of thedisplay screen when the viewer is located above the vertically correctergonomic orientation in front of the display screen; rendering a thirdimage that can be perceived by the viewer of the display screen when theviewer is located below the vertically correct ergonomic orientation infront of the display screen; rendering a fourth image that can beperceived by the viewer of the display screen when the viewer is locatedto the left of the horizontally correct ergonomic orientation in frontof the display screen; and rendering a fifth image that can be perceivedby the viewer of the display screen when the viewer is located to theleft of the horizontally correct ergonomic orientation in front of thedisplay screen, whereby the viewer of the display screen is continuouslyprovided visual feedback regarding an ergonomic status of the viewer'sorientation.
 36. A method as recited in claim 35 wherein the first imagehas a first illumination intensity
 37. A method as recited in claim 35wherein the second, third, fourth and fifth images are similar to thefirst image, but have illumination intensities that are less than thefirst illumination intensity.
 38. A method as recited in claim 36wherein the second, third, fourth and fifth images are similar to thefirst image but have portions that appear to not be illuminated.
 39. Amethod as recited in claim 35 wherein each image includes textualinformation indicating the viewer's orientation.
 40. A method as recitedin claim 40 wherein the textual information instructs the viewer on howto move into the proper orientation.
 41. A method as recited in claim 35wherein each of the images varies dependent upon a distance of theviewer from the display screen.
 42. A method as recited in claim 41wherein each image provides a numerical approximation of the distance ofthe viewer from the display screen.
 43. A method as recited in claim 42wherein the numerical approximation of the distance of the viewer fromthe display screen is properly in focus only in the first image,otherwise the numerical approximation of the distance of the viewer fromthe display screen is blurred.
 44. A method as recited in claim 35wherein the display screen is a computer display screen.
 45. A method asrecited in claim 35 wherein the display screen is a television displayscreen.
 46. A computer implemented method for providing an ergonomicenvironment to a computer user, the computer implemented methodincluding the acts of: sensing a user distance from the computer user toa display screen of a computer system; displaying the user distance onthe display screen; and displaying a recommended user distance from thecomputer to the display screen.
 47. A computer implemented method asrecited in claim 46 further including the acts of: determining a textfont size deemed suitable for the user distance; and displaying anumerical indication of the text font size deemed suitable for the userdistance.
 48. A computer implemented method as recited in claim 47further including the acts of: querying computer user as to whether toconform the font size of text found in an active text window displayedon the display screen to the text font size deemed suitable for the userdistance; and in response to a request by the computer user, conformingthe font size of text found in the active text window displayed on thedisplay screen to the text font size deemed suitable for the userdistance.
 49. A computer implemented method as recited in claim 47further including the act of conforming the font size of text found inan active text window displayed on the display screen to the text fontsize deemed suitable for the user distance.
 50. A computer implementedmethod as recited in claim 46 wherein the act of sensing a user distancefrom the computer user to a display screen of a computer system isperformed continuously.
 51. A computer implemented method as recited inclaim 50 wherein the displayed user distance is updated continuously.52. A computer implemented method as recited in claim 46 wherein the actof sensing a user distance from the computer user to a display screen ofa computer system is performed only in response to a request from thecomputer user.
 53. A visual feedback device operable to provide a viewerfeedback suitable for assisting the viewer in attaining a desiredposition with respect to the visual feedback device, the visual feedbackdevice comprising an active area capable of providing a plurality ofimages to the viewer, a specific image perceived by the viewer beingdependent upon a position of the viewer with respect to the active area,the specific image perceived by the viewer being indicative of theposition of the viewer with respect to the visual feedback device.
 54. Avisual feedback device as recited in claim 53 further including aninactive area having a flat surface, the proper orientation of the flatsurface being substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to theviewer's line of site, the active area being angled at an incline withrespect to the flat surface of the inactive area.
 55. A visual feedbackdevice as recited in claim 53 wherein the active area is a center activearea, the visual feedback device further comprising a left active areaand a right active area, the center active area operable to provide theviewer visual feedback corresponding to whether the viewer is centeredwithin a tolerance along a line orthogonal to the center active area,the left and right active areas working in conjunction to provide theviewer visual feedback corresponding to whether the viewer is locatedwithin a range of proper distances from the visual feedback device. 56.A visual feedback device as recited in claim 53 wherein the active areais a multi-phase lenticular device.